Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 3559, Elisha Fish, R.I.

SERVICE
NUMBER
99 9
Fish, Elisha, Elizabeth
W. 3559
CONTENTS

Dedn of the Children of Elisha Fish & his widow.

County duly elected and sworn and that his signature subscribed to the above pact and certificate is genuine -
Witness my hand & official seal this 31 day of July 1851
H. Shipherd Clerk

State of New York County of Washington ss. On this Eighth day of January, 1857, before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County personally ap- peared Joseph Fish a resident of the town of Kingsbury (Sandy Hill) in said County aged forty nine years and who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the arrears of pensions to which the children of Elisha Fish & of his widow Elizabeth Fish are entitled under the various pension laws & that his said Father Elisha Fish was as Declarant believes born in Twerton R Island and entered the service of the U.S. at Tiver- ton Rhode Island as a private
and served as such for more than two years, - his first of months as a militiaman his next term was for three years, & he served as a before five years. John Massachusetts of Queens- bury, deceased was in said Regt. & was a pensioner under act 1818. -
That he applied for a pension but never obtained one. His application was from Rutland County Vermont. That he died in Danby in said County on the day of May 1847 Eighteen hundred and forty seven leaving a widow whose name was Elizabeth Fish and the following children viz -
1. Prudence Fish. Hecloea Fish, John Fish, Sarah wife of Albert Bucklin, Saphrona widow of Moses Sweet, Elizabeth wife of Ashbel Pierce, and Joseph Fish, who are the children & only children of the said Elisha Fish and are all of age - That his said Mother maiden name was Elizabeth Wilbur and she was married to the said Elisha Fish at Danby Vermont previous to Jan'y 1794 to wit on the day of in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and

That his said Mother remained a widow from the time of the death of her aforesaid hus- - band until the day of the year Eighteen hundred and forty nine when she died at Danby aforesaid leaving the children above named her sur- - viving and they are her only children and are all of age. The said Joseph Fish on behalf of himself and the other children of his said Father and Mother claim the arrears of pension to which they are entitled and they authorised their attorney J. D. Woodward to receive a certificate for the same.
Sworn and subscribed to before me this day and year first above men- - tioned and I certify that Declarant is a credible person.  Given this 8th day of Jan'y 1851 S. T. Shepherd Just. Peace  Joseph Fish  Justice Peace
State of New York } Washington County } I Henry Shipman Clerk of said County do hereby certify that on the 18th day of January 1851 Samuel T. Shepherd Esq was a Justice of the Peace in and for said

State of Vermont
County of Rutland p. On this fifteenth day of January 1851 before the Court of probate in & for said County personally appeared Elizabeth Pierce wife of Ashbel Pierce & Daughter of Elisha Fish deceased a resident of Wallingford in said County aged forty two years who being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the arrears of pension to which the children of the said Elisha Fish & his widow are entitled under the various pension laws. That her said Father was as she believes born in Tiverton Rhode Island and entered the service of the US at that place during the war of the Revolution while the British had possession of Rhode Island and performed as she has understood & believes several tours of service the length of which she is unable to state but refers to the evidence of such services which she hopes to obtain to ac- company this declaration. That he died in Danby Vt. on the tenth day of March Eighteen hundred and forty seven, leaving a widow whose name was Elizabeth Fish and the following children viz: John Fish, Pardon Fish, Freelove Fish, Sarah wife of Albert Bucklin, Sophrona widow of Wm Sweat, Eliz- abeth wife of Ashbel Pierce (declarant) and Joseph Fish who are the children & only children of the said Elisha Fish & his said wife and are all of age. That her said Mother named -en named was Elizabeth Willbur and she was married to the said Elisha Fish at Danby Vermont previous to Janu- ary 1. 1794 (seventeen hundred and ninety four). That her said Mother remained a widow from the time of her said husband's death until the twenty eighth day of No- vember Eighteen hundred and forty Eight when she died at Danby aforesaid leaving the children above named her surviving and they are her only children & all of age. The said Elizabeth on behalf of herself and the other children of her said Father & Mother claim the arrears of pension to which they are entitled.

and authorized their attorney J Woodward of Plattsburg NY. to receive a certificate thereof.
Sworn in Doubleday before me this
Open Court the day and year first above written (same being a Court of Record) and I certify that Declarant is a credible person, this statement are entitled to full credit.
Mrs E Pierce
Harry Button Judge of the Court of Probate.

Elisha Fish
11 1/4 months
18501

STATE OF VERMONT, } RUTLAND COUNTY, ss. }
On this 11 th day of Sept A. D. 1832 personally appear- ed in open Court before the Judge of the Rutland Court of Rutland  Is now sitting, Ebenezer Fiske a resident of the County of Rutland and State of Vermont, aged 70 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
In 1777 he lived at Guilford , & although not quite  fifteen years old he volunteered for three months to go on the expedition under Genl. Spencer , & served in Capt. Isaac Manchester's company, in Col. Phipps's Regt. served at Newland's Ferry & along the lines , & was discharged at Newland's Ferry in the fall of 1777, after serving three months. In 1778, he belonged to a class consisting of 12 persons, which was called on to furnish a man for six months, & was mustered at Guilford , & was put to driving a team in Col. Phipps's Regt. as he believes, & served sometimes under Lieut. Manchester , sometimes under Lieut. Gladding - & served about Newland's Ferry , under Genl. Sullivan , & was discharged at Newland's Ferry in November. He retreated with the army under Genl. Sullivan across Newland's Ferry after his attempt to drive off the enemy. Previous to this, in the winter of 1778, he was drafted for two months to guard the lines, the enemy then being in possession of R. Island , & served in Capt. Manchester's company, in Col. Gray's Regt. and was stationed a little north of Frogland Ferry , under Lt. Manchester ; the company having been divided into three parts & stationed at different points, & there was no commissary where he served except Lt. Manchester and having served out his two months he was discharged about the 1 st of March according to the best of his recollection. He knew Genl. Spencer , Sullivan , Lafayette , Cornwall , & others whose names he has forgotten - but does not remember to as to states & distinguished other Regts. with whom he served. He never see d a written discharge, & has no documentary evidence & knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service. He was born at Guilford April the 15. Jan y . 1763 - his age is recorded there. He came to reside in Danby in the winter of 1781, where he has ever since lived. During the summer of 1781 he was called out on alarm, & marched to Pittsfield , about thirty miles, under Lt. Mott , & served about a week, & was discharged. There is no clergyman residing in Danby , but he is known to most of the old inhabitants of Danby & Wallingford .

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed the } day and year aforesaid.
Ad Raynor Pres
Elisha Fisk mark
We David Young  a Clergyman residing in Danby and Mosely Hall residing in the same place, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Elisha Fisk who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 70 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we con- cur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the } day and year aforesaid.
Ad Raynor Pres
David Young Mosely Hall
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that David Young who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman  credible person resident in Danby and that Mosely Hall who has also signed the same, is a resident in Wallingford, near Danby and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Rodney C. Royce Pres Clerk of the Court of Probate do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original procee- dings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Elisha Fisk for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 17 th day of Sept A. D. 1832
Ad Raynor

Elisha Fitch Mettland 6 th Regt.
June service 6 mo military service 5. yrs.
Rejected

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Elisha Fish
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1777 3 Private Capt. Manchester Lt Capt. Tappin Col. L... N. Rhode Island under Genl. Spencer 70 years Tiverton R. Island Testimony & Witness   1778 6 Private Manchester & Glodding Tappin Genl. Sullivan Staten Island Newark New Jersey   Winter 1778 2 Private Capt. Manchester Col. Gray Staten Island Newark New Jersey   Summer 1778 about 7 " Sub Mott Much to Pittsfield  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [e] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

No 38.158
Children of Elisha Fish & his widow Eliza- -beth Fish. -
Elisha Fish ad per
Act 7 June 1832

State of Vermont District County of Rutland ss. I the Subscriber Register of the Court of Probate in open said District Court that at a Court of Probate held in open said Court on the fifteenth day of Jan- uary Eighteen hundred and fifty one, it was proved to the satisfaction of said Court in open Court Hon. Harvey Button Judge thereof being present, & same being a Court of Record, that Elisha Fish deceased late of Danby Vt. was a private in the Army of the Revolution & entered the service at Princeton R.I. and served with the Rhode Island Troops. That he was married at Danby aforesaid previous to seventeen hundred and ninety four to Elizabeth Willbur and died at said town on the tenth day of March Eighteen hundred and forty seven leaving the said Elizabeth a widow, & the following children viz: John Fish, Panda Fish, Freelove Fish, Sarah wife of Albert Smith Eunice, Pophona widow of William Sweat, & Elizabeth wife of Abel Pierce & Joseph Fish, and that the said Elizabeth Fish remained a widow from the time of her said husband's death, until the twenty Eighth day of November Eighteen hundred and forty Eight, when she died at Danby aforesaid leaving the above named children her surviving who are her only children and are all of age. The evidence adduced was satisfactory to said Court. Witness my hand & official Seal & I have fastened these papers together by a piece of white tape the ends of which under my official seal the fifteenth day of January Eighteen hundred and fifty one.
Harvey Button Judge of Probate Henry Hall Register

REJECTED
3059
P. O.
Olisha Tink
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

345688) Elisha Fish Rejected
Set. to Luke Gove, 29 June 1838.

Elisha Fish Vermont act 7 June 1832
Rejected, see letter A
R. Temple Esq 18 Apr. 1833. Lot Leueca Mitte 1/4 April 1835 - Same 8 July 1835
J. D. Woodward Nov 5/57

Deed of the Children of E. A. the "F. G. H."
17th Dec 1881 P.P. Co. of London 100,000 Planting Sums
Her Love Always
Revolutionary Clergy for an Liberation

Rel to the Mississippi
Washington Valleburg New York
James E. Heath Esq Court of Prisoners Washington D.C.
FREE

No 158
Elisha Fish dec.
Vt
Act of 7 th June 1832.
See also concurrent Act 1832.
3559.

State of Vermont } Rutland County } ss
On this 10 th day of February, 1838, personally appeared before the Honorable Probate Court of the District of Rutland in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont, Hannah Culver, aged 76 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4, 1836:
That she is the widow of James Culver, late of

all in P
J. Edwards Esq. Comm r of Pensions City of Washington, D.C.

Danby April 3 rd 1835
Rutland County. Vt
Sir
Your Answer respecting the enquiry made about the claim of Elisha Fish of the 3 rd of March was rec d by a due course of mail! And by the earnest solicitation of Mr Fish. I again trouble you with one more enquiry. Mr Fish States that he enlisted for six months. but was under arms but about 4 mo s that he was taken from his Company. by his Commanding Officer to drive the team to draw Cannon &c. That then was not any different engagement to serve as a waggoner. from his first enlistment. — Is he not entitled to draw under the act of 1832 for the time he actually did serve. at different times. independent of the time he was engaged as a waggoner — If so. What proof is required?
Your instructions would be very acceptable. as I am not in the least conversant with the Pension business; And our Pensioners of late. have a great antipathy against calling  on upon any one residing in Rutland. when the business in their line has generally been transacted. and mostly by the late (Mr Trumbull)
A. Edwards Esq r Comm ee of Pensions
Very Respectfully Your Obed t Serv t
Seneca Smith

Plattsburg NY. July 9. 1857.
Sir,
I sent you the declaration of Mrs Pierce one of the children of Elisha Fish in February last and now forward that of Joseph Fish which was not authenticated until the third inst. He supposed his Father served with Thomas Manchester. (erroneously called John in the decln). An examination of Manchester papers who applied from Addison Co Vt under the act of 1818, & was transferred to Warren Co NY. may throw light on the case. If Mr Elisha Fish applied for a pension, the papers presented by him may give a more correct statement of his services than his children can furnish. The Blanks in the decln of Joseph Fish were filled by Mrs Pierce in her declaration, & the death of Mr & Mrs Elisha Fish, & names of their children, are proven by the Certificate of the Court.
Jas H Smith Esq Censor of Pensions.
Respectfully Yours J. D. Woodward. Atty. re

Plattsburg N.Y. Nov. 11. 1857.
Sir,
Will you please to cause an examination of the papers of Thomas Manchester who applied for a pension from Addison County Vermont under the act of 1818 (and was subsequently transferred to Warren County New York), for the purpose of obtaining Evidence of the services of Elisha Fish who is supposed to have served in the same Company with Manchester. -
Respectfully yours.
J. D. Woodward Atty for the children of Elisha Fish.
Jas. E. Keath Esq Counsel
P. S. The application of the children of Mrs. Fish is on file in your office.

Revolutionary Claims
JUNE 30
Edward Clay Comm ee of Pensions City of Washington D.C.
Ms. 2
Ms. 6. 1. 1. 1

Danby Rutland County Vt Mount
June 18 th 1833
Sir
Your favor of the 14 th of April respecting Elisha Fish was rec d by a due course of Mail and I have this day seen Mr Fish. and read him your reply Upon which he says. That he was in Gopham's Regiment and under Capt Christopher Manchester and cannot be positive though he thinks that Edward Slocum was his Ser t That he engaged for 6 Mo s but was discharged soon after Gopham's Regiment left Woodstock. which was about 4 Mo s
He mentions many other times he was out but presume no more than I mentioned in my letter previous. and therefore will not recapitulate.
Does your Rolls show his name or such a Company?
Very Respectfully Your Ob t Servant
Emica Smith

Rutland V t 15 Feby. 1835
Sir:
The enclosed declaration of Elisha Fish is submitted under the supposition that the military annals of Rhode Island by which, he expects it will be sustained, are already in the War Office of the United States. Should such not be the fact, and you should require testimony corroborating the statement, he respectfully requests to be advised through me.
I am very respectfully Your att. Servt. Depe Bove
Hon. James L. Edwards Comt r of Pensions City of Washington

75 Oct 20 4 July 1836 Oct 1832 W. Elisha Fish
PRE
The Commissioner of Pensions City of Washington

V 34,568.
Elisha Fish
Vt

State of Vermont, } Rutland County } }
On this 12 th day of February, 1838, personally appeared before the Honorable Probate Court of the Probate District of Rutland in said County of Rutland, Elisha Fisk, of Danby in said District, aged 77 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832:
That on the 15 th of January, 1777, he became 16 years old, and was thereupon enrolled in the Militia Company, in Tiverton, Rhode Island (where he then resided) commanded by Capt. Isaac Manchester, Lieut. Philip Corey, & an Ensign whose name is not now recollected, and in the Regiment then commanded by Col. Bayley, or Col. Gray; at Col. Amy had at one time commanded that Regiment of Militia; and these three were the only Field Officers of the Regiment that the applicant now recollects. This Company had been divided into three portions, and one division assigned to each of its Commissioned Officers; so that, when its services were required, it was called by its divisions, alternately, one at a time. In the spring of 1777, sometime in the month of April, the division to which this applicant then belonged, was called out under the said Lieut. Corey, for the term of two months, and was stationed at Tiverton, as a Coast Guard, on the East Passage to Providence, where they served out their said term.
In the summer of fall of 1777, the applicant having been at that time transferred into Capt. Manchester's division of said Company, went for another term, and served three months, in what was called Spencer's expedition. Was employed, much of this term, on fatigue duty, in making fascines, gabions, &c, and in getting timber for boats to be used in the expedition; many of which boats were completed, but were not used, until the next year - when they were employed by General Sullivan. These boats had been hauled into a pond, easterly of Fogland's Ferry, until used, as just mentioned.

In the spring of 1778, the precise date not recollecting, the applicant enlisted, as a substitute for one Thomas Wilber, in Capt. Christopher Manchester's Company, and in Col. John Topham's Regiment of Rhode Island troops. He engaged for six months, and served four months. First, served on guard duty, about a week, at Acushnet in Tiverton, where there were about 25 or 30 men; from thence, marched to a place called Quonquont, where he was employed, with some other troops, on fatigue duty, for two or three weeks, in repairing the boats he had assisted to build, the preceding summer. He joined the regiment at Howland's Ferry, where he crossed, with other troops, onto the Island of Rhode Island, and marched from the landing called Ferry Neck, to Butts Hill - and from thence to Tominy Hill, which was near the centre of the American Forces. Was in the battle which took place, afterwards, on the 29 th of August, 1778, under General Sullivan. About a week or fortnight after the retreat from that engagement, this applicant was paraded with the other troops, at Tiverton, and were there discharged by word of mouth, from the commanding officer, whose name this applicant does not now remember.
This applicant, at no time, ever had any written discharge from the several terms of service above mentioned, but was always discharged verbally. Nor does he know of any living witnesses or witness by whom he can prove any of his aforesaid services.
In February, 1779, this applicant emigrated from Tiverton aforesaid, to Danby in Vermont, where he has ever since resided; and in the latter part of the summer of 1780, or 1781, he was drafted from said Danby, under Capt. Ebenezer Willson, and Lieut. Samuel Mott, both of the militia of that town (now deceased) and served one week at Fort Vengeance in Pittsford, Vermont. From this service, also, he received no written discharge, but was dismissed by his commanding officer. Nor can he make proof of this term, by any witness now known to be in life.
He relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension

or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Elisha his + Fish mark
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid, in open Court.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. Wm Hall Judge
I, Henry B. Townlee, Clerk of the Probate Court aforesaid, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Elisha Fish for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Court (which I hereby certify is a Court of Record) and subscribed my name, at Rutland in said Probate District, this 12 th day of February, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight.
Henry B. Townlee.

Children of Elisha Fish.
Revolutionary Claims.

Hattisburgh Ky. Feb 22 d /51-
Or Sir
I enclose You the Declaration of the children of Elisha Fish and certificate of the court proving his death and names of his children and date of his widow's death. The fact of his marriage at the time & place mentioned can be proven. Before incurring that expense the children will be pleased to have You cause an examination of the Rhode Island Rolls in Your office for the purpose of obtaining proof of his service — One of the children says his Father served in the same Regiment with Thomas Manchester who resided in Warren Co Ky but applied under the act of 1818. from Addison Co Tn — an examination of his papers may lead to evidence of the services of Elisha Fish —
Respectfully Yours
Jas E Heath Esq Comr of Pensions
J. D. Woodward, Atty for the Children

Plattsburg N.Y. July 30, 1857.
Dear Sir,
Mr Joseph Fish one of the children of Elisha Fish whose claim for the arrear of Pension due his Father Mother is now pending at the Pension Office, informs me that Major Samuel Beeman a revolutionary pensioner who applied from Washington Co. N.Y. & Thomas Manchester (who probably applied from Rutland Co. Vt. - was subsequently transferred to the New York roll. Warren Co. N.Y. made affidavits in support of the claim of the said Elisha Fish during his life time. If these affidavits can be found in the Pension office under the name of Elisha Fish of Rutland Co. Vermont they may prove his services. The papers of Thomas Manchester, who belonged to the Rhode Island line, may also throw light on the claim of my clients.
Respectfully yours
J. D. Woodward. Atty for the children of Elisha Fish
J. E. Smith Esq Counsel.